Baltimore PoliceAt least 25 people have been taken to hospital in West Baltimore following suspected drug overdoses.
Citing officials from the region’s fire department, the BBC’s US partner CBS News said five people were admitted in a critical condition with others in a serious condition.
The incident, which took place near a road intersection in the Penn North area of the city on Thursday morning, led to the Maryland Department of Transportation closing a nearby subway station while roads were also blocked.
Fire Chief James Wallace told reporters that emergency services on the scene were directed to multiple people suspected of overdosing by members of the public.
He said people were found along two intersecting avenues as well as on the subway platforms and along alleyways following the initial response at around 09:20 local time (14:20 BST), according to CBS.
Officials have not named any substance they believe to have been involved.
Baltimore Police posted on X on Thursday that they, and fire services, were at the road intersection “in reference to multiple individuals experiencing overdose symptoms”.
The police service asked people to avoid the area as multiple streets had been blocked off and buses rerouted.
The city’s state attorney, Ivan Bates, said the incident “serves as a powerful reminder of our city’s ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic”.
He added that his office will support emergency services and the health department in their work to find out what happened.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore also said on Thursday his team were coordinating with state agencies, city officials and first responders.
“I’m grateful to those who quickly alerted us about this situation, and those who are providing support to the community,” Mr Moore said.
Separately, an update from the city’s mayor, Brandon Scott, issued advice for residents who use drugs; including to never use alone and to carry Naloxone or Narcan – both of which can be collected for free from the city’s health department.
